Toward Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Opportunities, challenges, and the role of “handprint” impacts

Hosted by: Intel

This workshop will explore net-zero GHG target setting opportunities and challenges within manufacturing sectors, as well as the role of downstream “handprint” impacts in the global transition to net-zero emissions.

Speakers:

Additional Confirmed Speakers:

• Sharon Nolen, P.E., C.E.M., Program Manager & Fellow, Global Natural Resource Management, Eastman
• Erik Mohn, Global Director, Sustainability Consultancy, Schneider Electric

Local Leadership, Federal Support: Pathways Toward Climate Resilience in U.S. Communities

Hosted by: Center for Climate and Energy Solutions

The growing intensity and frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change necessitates strong action across levels of government and the private sector to increase climate resilience. This workshop will explore local and regional experiences with climate resilience planning and project implementation, how federal programs and policies intersect with and are supporting climate resilience, and what more is needed to accelerate resilience action.

Speakers:

Science-Based Targets and Beyond: Paths to Net Zero

Hosted by: World Wildlife Fund

In this workshop, WWF experts will present how the Science-Based Targets initiative’s Net Zero standard and new methodology for companies setting targets with footprints in the Forest, Land and Ag (FLAG) sectors are creating a new benchmark for the integrity of corporate Net Zero claims. We will explore how these new methodologies will interact with other developments, such as the upcoming GHG Protocol revisions and efforts to increase the supply and integrity of the voluntary carbon markets.

Speakers:

Elevating ESG to the Board Level and Beyond

Hosted by: Diligent

This session will discuss the benefits of building a strong ESG program, how to treat ESG disclosures, and how best climate leaders can present their efforts to internal stakeholders while also articulating the business value behind it. In an effort to instill confidence in their work and help influence ESG policies and programs the workshop aims to provide tools to help practitioners: effectively communicate ESG policies; educate directors and executives on ESG strategy; and get their buy-in to adopt actions ensuring progress towards ESG goals.

Speakers:

Purchasing Clean Energy for Impact

Hosted by: Center for Resource Solutions

Investments in clean energy are critical to meeting growing energy demand and reducing carbon emissions. Today, corporate and institutional buyers of clean energy are also looking to maximize the environmental impact of their procurement. Participants of this workshop will explore different clean energy impact strategies and learn how buyers can measure and communicate impacts associated with their procurement. Guest speakers will share their own clean energy impact strategies and how they navigate through common challenges. This workshop will also offer an interactive format for attendees to engage with each other and share practices and different strategies.

Speakers:

Welcome Address

Introduction to the 11th annual Climate Leadership Conference from our organization leaders and headline sponsor.

Speakers:

Policy Wins and Federal Action on Climate

Keynote address by White House Administration officials highlighting federal climate policy and how the federal government is reducing its own carbon footprint.

Speakers:

The Power Sector’s Transition to Net Zero

Power sector leaders share how the industry is decarbonizing its own emissions and paving the way for others.

Speakers:

Driving Corporate Engagement in Climate Policy

Leading companies discuss the critical role of public policy in meeting enterprise-level, national and global climate goals.

Speakers:

Decarbonizing the Built Environment

Making up 40% of overall emissions, the built environment’s pathway to net zero includes new opportunities for developers, builders, construction and materials.

Speakers:

Ensuring a Just and Fair Transition: When a Coal Fired Power Plant Goes Offline

This conversation focuses on the importance of community-level planning when transitioning away from fossil fuels as we race to zero.

Speakers:

Electrifying Transportation: Opportunities and Roadblocks

Public and private sector professionals discuss the necessity of, and progress towards, electrifying our transportation sector

Speakers:

Climate Finance: How Public Dollars Can Catalyze Private Investment

Experts discuss the significant capital and investment needed to achieve net zero and the breakthrough technologies and trends on the horizon.

Speakers:

Negative Emissions: The Role of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Solutions to Achieve Carbon Neutrality and Beyond

Hosted by: Center for Climate and Energy Solutions

Given the strong likelihood of continued carbon dioxide emissions from hard-to-decarbonize sectors, carbon dioxide removal (CDR) methods will likely be needed to produce the “negative emissions” required to achieve economy-wide carbon neutrality (and then carbon negativity). As more funding becomes available for CDR projects, this deep dive discussion will feature experts from research institutions, project developers, and policy advocates to identify major opportunities and challenges for the emerging CDR sector.

Speakers:

How Federal Agencies are Prioritizing New Climate Funding for Transportation

Hosted by: ICF

The Bipartisan infrastructure Law has provided a significant infusion of funding to help the Biden Administration address climate change. In this session, ICF will lead a discussion with federal government transportation officials about how they plan to prioritize, provide support for, and create access to funding to make the greatest impact on climate change. The discussion will also provide information about funding opportunities and access for potential recipients.

Navigating the SEC Proposed Ruling: What does this mean for businesses now and into the future?

Hosted by: WSP

This session will cover the differences between current voluntary corporate disclosure practices aligned with the TCFD Recommendations and the GHG Protocol and what is proposed in the SEC ruling specifically highlighting the main differences. Breakout groups will brainstorm ideas on how to mainstream climate change into business functions, whether or not the SEC proposed ruling changes. In what ways are businesses already incorporating or mainstreaming climate change enterprise-wide (e.g., into their business strategy, risk management, and financial oversight), and what areas need to improve in the future to effectively manage climate change and reduce the associated risks?

Speakers:

Innovations in Washington, D.C. Building Decarbonization

Hosted by: Arup

Join Arup, global built environment consulting firm, for an offsite panel discussion that will bring together experts from public and private sectors to address the importance of working together across the architecture, engineering and construction industry to achieve practical and scalable solutions to lower buildings’ carbon footprint for our net zero future. This event has limited tour capacity, so please register only if you are able to attend.

The Policies We Need to Jumpstart the Electric Truck Transition

Hosted by Environmental Defense Fund

Despite making up only about 4% of vehicles on the road, the buses, work trucks and tractor trailers that distribute people and goods are the largest contributor among all highway vehicles to nitrogen oxide emissions and health harming fine particulates. Trucks are also a leading source of climate pollution in the U.S. The good news is the last five years have seen tremendous progress in both the supply and demand for large, zero emission vehicles. Accelerating the transition to zero-emission trucks is critical to meet net zero and other climate goals, especially for companies with significant Scope 3 emissions. But that transition will not happen without public policy. Therefore, net zero commitments must be coupled with advocacy for policies that create market certainty for zero-emission trucks and invest in clean, affordable charging infrastructure.

Speakers:

Coordination of Effort Across Governments to Address Extreme Heat in Disadvantaged Communities

Hosted by: Georgetown Climate Center

Extreme heat is an emerging public health crisis, causing more deaths than any other weather-related hazard, and is compounded by climate change. Due to historical inequities, people of color in urban areas are disproportionately exposed to high temperatures and suffer greater consequences. To address extreme heat impacts, every level of government needs to be involved. This panel will: provide an overview of programs and policies cities and states are employing to help their residents "beat the heat;" discuss the Biden Administration's Extreme Heat Interagency Working Group's efforts to support state and local efforts; and address potential areas for governments and agencies to add expertise, assistance, and resources.

Speakers:

Nature-Based Solutions​: Carbon Market trends and Industry Perspectives​

Hosted by: Bluesource, LLC

This workshop will discuss the drivers for reductions and removals and how they differ from other types of solutions. It will dive into the efforts by the current standards body to distinguish removals in protocols and public registries, and will explore existing and projected supply and demand for nature-based solutions. This workshop will be interactive, using technology to involve the audience in the conversation about nature based solutions throughout. The bulk of the workshop time will be spent in conversation with industry leaders in the fight against climate change who will discuss their experience to date with greenhouse gas reduction goals and the role nature is playing in those goals.

Speakers:

Building Resilience in Combating the Climate Crisis

Climate actors from the public and private sector share lessons learned and hope for building a climate resilient future.

Speakers:

Nature-Based Solutions: Ensuring Quality and Longevity

An important strategy for getting to net zero, how are entities incorporating nature for mitigation solutions? Where are the most impactful projects to keep up with demand?

Speakers:

Advancing Energy Equity

This conversation focuses on the importance of bridging energy, equity, and justice as we race to zero.

Clean Energy Pathways

Procurement and development of new clean energy is an important step towards achieving our net zero goals.

Speakers:

U.S. Climate Leadership Effort